You may have heard the news in Guatemala… ​Fire volcano exploded on Monday and a second explosion yesterday.

Volcán de Fuego (Spanish for "Volcano of Fire", often shortened to Fuego) or Chi'gag (Mayan for "where the fire is") is an active stratovolcano in Guatemala. A stratovolcano, also known as a composite volcano,is a conicalvolcano built up by many layers (strata) of hardened lava, tephra, pumice, and volcanic ash.

Volcan de Fuego, spewed an 8km (5-mile) stream of lava and belched thick black smoke and ash that rained onto the capital and other regions.

It is the biggest eruption in 44 years and it has affected more than 1.7 million people, including 3,100 who were evacuated.

So far 100 people have been reported dead however hundreds are still missing.

On 3 June 2018, the volcano suddenly produced its most powerful eruption since 1974. A lahar suddenly changed direction and unexpectedly hit El Rodeo, Las Lajas, San Miguel Los Lotes, and La Reunión villages in Escuintla, which buried the town and killed surprised residents. Later, 18 bodies were found in the village of San Miguel Los Lotes. Ash fall extended as far as the capital, Guatemala City forcing the closure of La Aurora International Airport. The military assisted in clearing ash off of the runway. Sixty-two people were confirmed dead, and hundreds more were reported injured. Rescue workers were hampered when roads were cut by the lava flows.

I used to live in San Miguel Duenas near the fire volcano that exploded. My family is ok but the poorest communities have been most affected.

I am fundraising at work to send funds via World Vision who are working directly with National System for Disaster Reduction (Conred) in Guatemala to provide timely assistance to those in need.Please donate here Every pound counts!

Author

Born in the country of "Eternal Spring". Traveller and CS at heart. Want to share my In love for Guatemala through travel experiences, food, events, articles & more!I lived in Brazil and Canada before relocating in England in 2009.